MIAMI The U.S. is locking up more illegal immigrants than ever, generating lucrative profits for the nation's largest prison companies, and an Associated Press review shows the businesses have spent tens of millions of dollars lobbying lawmakers and contributing to campaigns.

The Republican primary face-off between former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon and former state House Speaker Kirk Adams in the East Valley's 5th Congressional District has not turned out to be the battle of the GOP titans that some observers initially expected.